The Future of Biomass

Technology developments, key cost and the future outlook

Report Price: 1495/ 2160/$2875 Publication Date: November 2009

E N E R G Y

The Future of Biomass

Technology developments, key cost and the future outlook

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Report Overview
Biomass has always been an Pages 135 important source of energy for mankind and today it accounts for Figures 25 10% of primary energy consumption. Most of this is Tables 33 traditional fuels used for cooking and heating in the developing world. In the developed world until Use this report to identify the end of the last century its use which key trends will offer the was mainly restricted to niche greatest growth potential and applications such as combined heat learn which technology trends and power generation in the wood are likely to allow greater and paper industries. Today the market impact... perception of biomass is changing and it is being recognized once more as a valuable modern fuel that can provide a renewable energy to replace fossil fuel in power generation. As a consequence its use is growing at it is set to become one of the major renewable sources over then next two decades. Biomass consists of all the plant material on the surface of the earth (and in the seas if algae are included). Almost two thirds of the total is regenerated each year during seasonal growth. The total regenerated is probably equivalent to more than three times total global energy consumption in 2008. Around 3% of this is used each year, mostly in the form of wood. Achieve a quick and comprehensive understanding of how biomass market trends and infrastructure are influencing the development of the renewable energy market. Realize up to date competitive intelligence through a comprehensive review of biomass technology concepts in the recent electricity infrastructure and renewable energy market Assess the emerging trends in renewable energy technology biomass grid connection and energy distribution. Compare how manufacturers are positioning new technologies to parallel infrastructure development.

The Future of Biomass

Technology developments, key cost and the future outlook

Key Findings
In 2005 biomass provided around 1.3% of total global electricity production. By 2050 this could rise to between 3.4% and 5.8% of total electricity production. Biomass comprises all the plant life on the surface of the earth. In its 2001 Survey of Energy Resources, the World Energy Council put the total biomass on the surface of the earth at 220bn oven dry tonnes, equivalent to 4,500EJ of energy. This definition may require modifying if algae become a major source of biomass energy since algae grow in water. Actual usage today is around 50EJ, or 10% of the estimated 500EJ of total global energy consumption in 2008. This is roughly 77% of the total renewable contribution (including hydropower) to primary energy consumption.

Figure 2.8: Maximum regional bioenergy production potentials (EJ/y)

These are the best figures from a set of four different global agricultural scenarios. They show that by 2050, global biomass energy production could reach 1545EJ/y. The potentially most productive region under this scenario is sub-Saharan Africa which may

Estimates for the total technical potential for biomass energy production could be as high as 1500EJ/y by 2050, the IEA has suggested, a figure which is significantly larger than expected total primary energy consumption.

Key features
Analysis of biomass technologies concepts and components. Insight relating to the most innovative product launches and potential areas of opportunity for manufacturers. Examination of the key technology introductions and innovations. Identification of the key trends shaping the market, as well as an evaluation of emerging trends that will drive innovation moving forward.

Clarification of the market for biomass and future growth. Assessment of new renewable energy technology analysis including innovation, infrastructure investment.

The Future of Biomass

Technology developments, key cost and the future outlook

Explore issues including...

Environmental requirements:- The growth of carbon dioxide emissions globally are creating a path for lower carbon emitting power generation technologies. Biomass as fuel is carbon neutral since while it releases carbon into the atmosphere when burnt, the growth of new biomass absorbs the same amount carbon from the atmosphere. As a consequence it offers a valuable renewable source of energy. Legislative issues:- The use of biomass as an energy source raises a number of environmental and legislative issues. One of the most difficult is that of maintaining a balance between land for the production of energy crops and land for producing food. Additional questions arise when waste materials are used to produce energy. Agricultural wastes are a valuable fuel source but part of each crop must be returned to the land if soil quality is not to deteriorate. A significant part of municipal waste can be burnt too but some of it is better recycled. Additionally, the combustion of biomass produces a number of potential pollutants in addition to releasing carbon dioxide and these must normally be controlled. The economics of biomass for electricity generation :- The cost of electricity from a biomass-fired power plant depends on both the cost of the fuel and the cost of building the plant. Dedicated biomass power plants are relatively expensive to build, comparable in cost with coal-fired power plants. The cost of the fuel, on the other hand, can be near to zero for some waste materials though much higher for energy crops. Future growth:- The contribution of biomass to the generation of electricity is likely to rise significantly. Over the shorter term both the EU and the USA envisage large increases in the use of biomass for power generation and similar increases are likely across the developing world. Recent predictions suggest that the increase in biomass generating capacity may be larger than that of wind capacity in some regions over the next ten to twenty years.

Discover...
What are the drivers shaping and influencing new technology development in the electricity industry? How will renewable energy technologies be connected and integrated into the existing grid network? What is the biomass power generation system going to cost? What are the components of the biomass power generation system? Which biomass types will be the winners and which the losers?

Which biomass technology types and materials are likely to find favor with manufacturers moving forward? Which emerging technologies are gaining in popularity and why?

The Future of Biomass

Technology developments, key cost and the future outlook

Table of Contents
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Introduction Biomass resources Energy crops Biomass power generation technologies Environmental and legislative issues The economics of biomass for electricity generation The future of biomass power generation Direct firing fuel considerations Fuel handling Gasification Fixed bed gasifiers Fluidized bed gasifiers Power production using biomass gasification Modular systems Anaerobic fermentation of biomass Biomass digesters Global biomass markets Biomass growth and targets Biomass prospects Index

LIST OF FIGURES
Breakdown of biomass contribution to primary energy consumption (%) Bagasse annual potential availability (thousand tonnes), 2007 Global wood fuel consumption (PJ), 2007 Current and predicted EU biomass resources (Mtoe/y) Current and potential US biomass resources (Million dry tonnes/y), 2005 Potential power generation from biomass among ASEAN countries (MW) Breakdown of currently available biomass in China by type (%) Maximum regional bioenergy production potentials (EJ/y) Typical biomass combustion technology power generation efficiencies (%) Typical wood gas composition (%) Biogas energy content (MJ/m3) Power generation systems for biomass (%) Atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations (ppm) Estimated biomass generation installed costs in California ($/kW), 2007 Energy content of biomass fuels (MJ/kg) Energy crop costs ($/tonne), 2007 Energy crop costs ($/tonne), 2007 UK wood fuel power costs (/MWh), 2008 Estimated biomass generation costs in California ($/MWh), 2007 Levelized cost of electricity from power plants ($/MWh), 2009

CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION
Summary Biomass development The structure of the report

CHAPTER 5 ENVIRONMENTAL AND LEGISLATIVE ISSUES

Introduction The carbon cycle and atmospheric warming Biomass and carbon dioxide

CHAPTER 2 BIOMASS RESOURCES

Introduction The size of the resource Types of biomass resource Residues Fuelwood Energy crops Regional resources

Atmospheric emissions other than carbon dioxide Life cycle assessment Energy crops Waste fuel Agricultural wastes Forestry residues Urban waste Legislative issues Issues affecting biomass energy crops

CHAPTER 3 ENERGY CROPS

Introduction Types of energy crop Energy crop infrastructure Energy crop yields

CHAPTER 6 THE ECONOMICS OF BIOMASS FOR ELECTRICITY GENERATION

Introduction Installed costs of biomass generating plants Fuel costs Cost of electricity

CHAPTER 4 BIOMASS POWER GENERATION TECHNOLOGIES

Introduction Direct firing of biomass Stoker combustors Suspension combustion Fluidized bed combustors Steam cycle improvements Co-firing

CHAPTER 7 FUTURE OUTLOOK

Introduction Comparative costs of energy from biomass Financial incentives and deterrents

The Future of Biomass

Technology developments, key cost and the future outlook

Table of Contents
Global biomass-based electricity production (TWh), 2007 Global biomass production by country (TWh), 2007 Biomass use in Europe (ktoe/%), 2007 US biomass-based electricity production (TWh), 2009 EU renewable energy roadmap targets (TWh), 2006-2020 Power plant total energy balance (kJ/kWh) Installed cost of biomass CHP and power-only Estimated biomass generation costs in California, 2007 Energy content of biomass fuels (MJ/kg) Energy crop costs ($/tonne), 2007 Energy crop costs ($/tonne), 2007 UK wood fuel costs, 2008 Cost of electricity from biomass CHP and power only installations Estimated biomass generation costs in California IEA global power generation scenarios (TWh), 2008 The cost of electricity from power plants ($/MWh), 2009 Global biomass-based electricity production (TWh), 2007 Global biomass production by country (TWh), 2007 Biomass use in Europe (ktoe/%), 2007 US biomass-based electricity production (TWh), 2009 EU renewable energy roadmap targets (TWh), 2006-2020

LIST OF TABLES
Breakdown of biomass contribution to primary energy consumption (%) Potential long term biomass supply by category, (EJ), 2000 Bagasse annual potential availability (thousand tonnes), 2007 Global wood fuel consumption (PJ), 2007 Current and predicted EU biomass resources (Mtoe/y) Current and potential US biomass resources (Million dry tonnes/y), 2005 Potential power generation from biomass among ASEAN countries (MW) Breakdown of currently available biomass in China by type (%) Maximum regional bioenergy production potentials (EJ/y) Properties of miscanthus and switchgrass as combustion fuels Typical energy crop yields Typical biomass combustion technology power generation efficiencies (%) Typical wood gas composition (%) Biogas energy content (MJ/m3) Power generation systems for biomass Atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations (ppm), 1700-2100 Typical atmospheric emissions from combustion power plants (kg/MWh)

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